Plans have got off the ground again to save Whitby’s crumbling historic piers on the exposed North Yorkshire coast.

Scarborough Borough Council has just started the hunt for a contractor to design and deliver extensive refurbishment of the east and west piers in Whitby Harbour.

The piers have suffered heavy storm damage over the years with the east pier, in particular, at risk of collapse.

The landmark piers have been protecting Whitby harbour and the town’s maze of harbourside cottages and passageways since 1545, when they were built of timber.

They were rebuilt in 1632 using stone and today they are officially recognised as listed buildings by Historic England.

Works will include repairs to the masonry block work including filling of voids due to material loss, driving new sheet piles to act as scour protection to the East Pier.

The council also wants to deliver concrete repairs to the promenades, and install flood gates at Battery Parade slipway and possibly a new footbridge to link the East Pier with the extension arm.

Scarbough council is looking for a turnkey contractor experienced in design and construction of structures suitable for a coastal environment, which can also provide architectural skills to ensure the design is aesthetically enhancing to the area.

It is planning a two-stage bid process for the job, which is estimated to cost over £5m.